The City of Fernie, B.C., which saw three maintenance workers killed at its Fernie Memorial Arena last year due to an ammonia leak (GM Oct. 27, 2017) has opted for Freon for its new refrigeration plant instead of ammonia. Startec Refrigeration Services Ltd., Calgary, will supply the product.
“Awarding this contract will be a major step towards ensuring the arena is open for the 2018/19 winter season,” said City of Fernie CAO Norm McInnis. “Staff received and carefully examined several proposals from different companies and recommended the system proposed by Startec to Council. Startec’s proposal to use synthetic refrigerant instead of ammonia was clearly the best fit for Fernie and the Memorial Arena.”
The contract, worth $882,820, is to construct a Freon ice plant. With a substantially lower global warming potential (GWP) than similar Freon refrigeration systems, this refrigerant is increasingly being used at ice rinks throughout Europe and North America, according to the City.
Work is scheduled to be complete by Aug. 1, with Startec training City staff to safely operate and maintain the equipment.
The investigations into last year’s incident at the arena are ongoing.